Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme (OPIP): Strand 3
Award: Share of up to £85 million
Programme: Innovate UK (with DSIT & Eli Lilly and Company Limited)
Opens: 8 September 2025
Closing date: 19th November 2025
Overview
Innovate UK (part of UKRI), working with DSIT and Lilly, will invest up to £85m in obesity pathway innovations (£50m DSIT, £35m Lilly, incl. £10m ring-fenced for devolved administrations). Strand 3 funds combined “access & management” and “care pathway” services, creating community/primary-care weight-management pathways that are holistic, clinically appropriate, scalable and resource-efficient, aligned to NICE NG246 and SIGN. Applicants must show end-to-end pathway design, system readiness by 1 Aug 2026, robust clinical/information governance, sustainability beyond the grant, and transparency about Lilly’s co-funding (no patient data shared with Lilly).
Eligibility
- No-subsidy basis (Subsidy Control Act 2022); Windsor Framework “No Aid” may apply in limited cases.
- Project costs: £2m–£8m; all work in the UK; exploit results from/in the UK.
- Timing: start by 1 May 2026; services live by 1 Aug 2026; end by 31 Mar 2029.
- Projects start on the 1st of a month; may begin at risk from 1 Feb 2026 pending GOL.
- Lead organisation: eligible NHS body with commissioning responsibility (England ICB; Scotland Health Board; Wales Public Health Wales/local health boards; NI HSC Trust/PH Agency/DoH).
- Lead to head a consortium (may include NHS providers, community pharmacies, GPs, CICs, third sector; subcontractors allowed at fair-market value).
- Applications per lead: up to two across all strands.
- Must meet Lilly grant eligibility & project principles (ABPI Code).
- Sanctions/ethics: must comply with UK sanctions; animal use requires welfare/legislative compliance.
- Finance: only eligible project costs; if outside limits, seek pre-approval ≥10 working days before close.
Award & Project Duration
- Award: Share of £85 million.
- Project Duration: From May 2026 → 31 Mar 2029 (Up to 47 months).
Key Dates
- Closes: 19th November 2025
